[color=orchid][center][h1]Sophia Danvers[/h1]
[h3]Mesalon Pokecentre[/h3][/center][/color]
[@OtomostheCrazy] [@fer1323]

[hider=A moment of comfort][youtube]https://youtu.be/ZL-I2HNsnd4[/youtube][/hider]
As she flopped into a chair, Sophia half expected Oscar to start fussing over her as usual. If not for the wait for Lacey, she'd have locked herself in her Pokecentre room. She'd been patronised quite enough for one day. Thankfully, neither he nor Alexis seemed to notice her.

"Zor!" Taking note of her concern, Clarus floated in front of her, as if shielding her from anything or anyone likely to cause distress.

Sophia's hand still shook as she patted the Bronzor. [color=orchid]"It's ok,"[/color] she whispered. [color=orchid]"I won't always be this much of a burden. I'll get stronger."[/color]

At a pattering sound, she looked down. Her face lit up with a smile. Oscar hadn't approached her, but two of his Pokemon had, Nomia presenting her a note while Skoll followed close behind. Taking the note, she read over it. So Oscar was just as set on helping her as always... This time, though, she couldn't get annoyed, not with the two puppy Pokemon nuzzling her ankles. She leaned over, slowly to avoid sudden head pain, and let the dogs lick her hand.

[color=orchid]"Awww..."[/color] She wouldn't admit it, but this was the kind of gesture she needed, even if she'd done nothing to earn it. Skoll and Nomia knew how to cheer others up, as they'd proven earlier with Kushala.

Thanks to them, and thanks to his new trainer, was the dragon settling in? Sophia looked across the room, only getting a glimpse of Kushala before he disappeared into his Pokeball, yet the sight brought her reassurance. It seemed Kushala fully acknowledged Oscar as his trainer. That guy had the most grating tendency to act like he had all the answers, but when it came to his Pokemon, he was doing something right. 

Sophia gave a tender glance towards Skoll and Nomia, then the two other Pokemon who looked to be bonding, judging by the way Aurora admired Roadrunner's evolved form. So different, yet growing so close, in both cases... For just a second, her gaze drifted from the Pokemon to Oscar.

Shifting her attention away, Sophia petted the two dogs. This was going to be such an ego boost for their trainer, she was sure of it, but she couldn't help doing what he'd asked of her and enjoying this.

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Gothita "Lacey" lv14, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv13, Staryu "Arcturus" lv13, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11, Shuppet "Fantoccino" lv11, Bronzor "Clarus" lv11
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, TM33 (Reflect), Oran Berry x3[/hider]
[hr]
[color=chocolate][center][h1]Amber Pine[/h1]
[h3]Out and about in Mesalon[/h3][/center][/color]
[@Dusksong]

[color=chocolate]"Well,"[/color] Amber replied, gesturing towards the group of Pokemon, [color=chocolate]"the more pairs of eyes, the better. Particularly ones that can see things we can't."[/color] She wasn't just talking about the sharp vision of bugs and birds. She glanced down at the Gothita, who'd already started staring from side to side. [color=chocolate]"Makes you wonder what it's like, the way some perceive the world... I'll have to ask Sophia some time."[/color]

In practice, though, it occurred to her that this might not be a good idea. As much as Sophia loved to flaunt her abilities, the insecurities about her limits were clear by now, and the wrong words could hit a sore spot. Amber could only hope there was some way to truly improve the psychic's confidence, as well as that of her fellow researcher.

[color=chocolate]"And there's no need to be so harsh on yourself,"[/color] she told Aedre as they made their way back. Beside them, Aeshna darted this way and that, stopping to hover in place for a few seconds at a time. Tacita glided behind, seemingly assisting, but taking every opportunity she could to prank her trainer.

[color=chocolate]"Hmm..."[/color] Amber looked out for anything that may be on the ground or on a bench, oblivious to the Rowlet tucking twigs and leaves into her hair. [color=chocolate]"Aedre, what did this parcel look like?"[/color] Before the other researcher could answer, Amber heard a giggle from Lacey. A second later, Aeshna joined in with a chuckle of "Yan-ma-ahaha!"

Amber furrowed her eyebrows, only realising what they found so funny when a leaf drifted onto her shoulder. Reaching up and sweeping away the makeshift hair accessories, she turned and shook her head at Tacita. [color=chocolate]"Well, I guess the mood does need lightening,"[/color] she said, [color=chocolate]"though maybe that should wait until after the search."[/color]

At her feet, Lacey couldn't help laughing again - then stopped as an uneasy feeling settled over her. She advanced, her steps cautious. It was difficult to pinpoint, the sensation much more subtle than the warning signals in the cave, but if she focused, she could be almost sure something wasn't right.

[color=chocolate]"Huh?"[/color] Amber followed the Gothita, who'd cast aside all playfulness for now. [color=chocolate]"Lacey, what did you find?"[/color]

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv11, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv13, Rowlet "Tacita" lv10, Anorith "Larimar" lv12, Sableye "Almandine" lv11
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, Potion x2, Dusk Ball x1[/hider]